Republican presidential hope Mitt Romney backed universal healthcare coverage as governor of Massachusetts because he thought it would be the triumph that would get him into the White House, according to those who worked with him there.

“He wanted to have a big accomplishment as governor,” said John McDonough, professor at the Harvard school of public health who was closely involved with both the Massachusetts reforms and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as an adviser to senator Ted Kennedy.

“He chose to run for governor of Massachusetts rather than Utah because he thought it would be a better platform to run for president. He was convinced early on that there was a way to [deliver healthcare coverage for all] that would adhere to Republican principles.”

McDonough thinks there were also personal issues. “There was some influence from his wife’s chronic MS (multiple sclerosis) and his religious background.”